OFF THE BEATEN PATH: ESCAPING THE COLD
December 11, 2018
It’s that time of year again. There’s a nip in the air, leaves are falling, and you just might be desperately looking for another chance or two to use the RV. We have some warmer weather places that you may want to consider as you look to squeeze every last bit of fun out of your RV. And as always, these are the kinds of unique destinations that highlight the freedom motorhome ownership provides.
THE LOWER COLORADO RIVER REGION
The Arizona/California border is surrounded by well-known destinations like Joshua Tree National Park, the Kofa National Wildlife Refuge and the Mojave National Preserve. But this less-traveled, lightly populated area is a bona fide desert oasis. With public and private RV options, the consistently warm (especially during the day) and dry climate is exactly the kind of getaway most are looking for during the colder months.
TEXAS HILL COUNTRY
Everybody knows San Antonio and Austin, but it’s the region in between, spotted with hills rising hundreds of feet into the air, that makes for a unique—and warm—RV experience. Multiple state parks provide opportunities for just about any outdoor activity you could imagine. Honky-tonks, BBQ, spectacular bluebonnet blooms (if you’re looking to get an early start on Spring) and towns brimming with West-Texas charm await.
BIG BEND
Needless to say, Texas is huge. So, here’s another option from The Lone Star State that makes for a warm escape—and there may be no better way to experience the Big Bend region than in an RV. Named for and situated on the Rio Grande's sharp bend in west Texas, the region is remote and unspoiled. Big Bend National Park and Big Bend Ranch State Park combine to account for more than a million acres of public land made up of a stunning variety of natural beauty that includes rivers, desert, mountains, and volcanic topography. Plan your drive. While there are many opportunities for scenic routes, you’ll want to ensure they’re passable with your unit.
THE ROBERT TRENT JONES GOLF TRAIL
Attention golf lovers! The occasional morning frost during the heart of winter is certainly possible, but this is a legendary collection of golf courses that’s connected by highways winding through Southern Alabama. Winter rates and packages make for great deals and you can visit historic southern towns like Muscle Shoals, Mobile, and Birmingham. The distance between the 11 different sites (26 different courses) are all manageable, ranging from about 50 miles to 200.
THE SOUTHWESTERN LEG OF ROUTE 66
Route 66 is certainly no unknown “path”, but the often-remote—and, yes, warmer—stretches heading either way out of Albuquerque are attractive to the exploring RVer. It’s a historic route that literally paved the way for the development of the Western United States. At various times, it’s been called “The Mother Road” and “Main Street of America” and traveling it in an RV provides a uniquely American and immersive experience. You can read some more tips on how to navigate the route here.
Source: Entegra Coach Connection - https://www.entegracoach.com/connection/off-the-beaten-path-escape-the-cold/